Conference on “Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation in the WIO region: Solutions to the Crisis”
Grand Baie, Mauritius, 21-23 March 2011

General information

The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA), Mauritius Oceanography
Institute Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI); the Nairobi Convention Secretariat,
Commission de l'océan Indien (COI), the organizers of the conference on “Climate Change
Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation in the WIO region: Solutions to the Crisis” take this
opportunity- on behalf of our partners and donors and all who made this conference possible- to
welcome you to Balaclava.

About Balaclava:
Located just north of Port Louis and a 15 minute drive from the clubs and sights of Grand Baie,
Balaclava boasts one of the most pristine stretches of beach overlooking the Bay of Balaclava.
Local attractions include the Baie aux Tortues, which 17th-century sailors named after the many
tortoises in the area. A trip to the Central Market of Port Louis reveals handmade crafts and
cuisine representing the different cultures and ethnicities of Mauritius, including Creole, Indian,
Chinese and Muslim. Balaclava is 50 minutes away from Plaisance International Airport.

Weather in Balaclava
At this time of the year, the weather in Mauritius is sunny and fairly hot, carry lightclothing.

Conference Venue

The Conference will take place at the Intercontinental Mauritius Resort,
Balaclava Fort from the 21
st
of March to the 23
rd
of March 2011.

Accommodation
The following are the hotels where participants to the conference will be staying- The
Intercontinental Mauritius, La Plantation, Le Mauricia Hotel, and Ventura Hotel.

Transport
Shuttles will be organized to pick up conference delegates to and from the airport to
Intercontinental hotel and to Ventura Hotel for arrivals from the 19 th
of March 2011 and on
departure from the 24-26
th
March 2011. Those arriving earlier and leaving later than these dates
are to arrange their own transport. Guests staying at La Plantation are within walking distance to
the Conference Venue. For those residing at Ventura Hotel, transport to the Conference venue
has been organized. Delegates staying at Le Mauricia Hotel will need to take taxis to
Intercontinental as it is 45 minutes away.

Currency
The official currency is the Mauritian Rupee, with the following rates: 1 Euro = approximately
40 Mauritian Rupees, while 1 USD = approximately 29 Mauritian Rupees. MasterCard and Visa
are the most widely accepted by most banks, hotels, restaurants and tourist shops followed by
American Express and Diners Club

Restaurants
There are restaurants on the main road of Balaclava which are about 5 – 10 minutes from the
Intercontinental Hotel.

Visa
Nationals of the following countries will not require a visa to enter Mauritius- United Kingdom,
Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Seychelles, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania,
U.S.A., Zambia and Zimbabwe. Please note that the participants will need a Letter from MOI
and a hotel booking confirmation to present to immigration officials on arrival.

Holders of Passports from the Republic of Madagascar and the Union of Comoros may be issued
a tourist visa for a period of 2 (two) weeks on arrival, provided that he/she:
1. holds a valid recognised passport (beyond six months after the intended period of stay)
2. holds a valid return passage ticket to country of origin or residence
3. is eligible to re-enter his/her country of origin or residence
4. has adequate funds to meet cost of stay in Mauritius
5. has confirmed booking of accommodation (if sponsored by a Mauritian citizen, applicant
should produce supporting letter of sponsor, stating name, address and relationship)
For more information on visas visit the following website: www.gov.mu.

Presentations:
Each oral presentation is allotted 20 minutes. Please make sure you give more time in your
presentation to the objectives of your study and scientific results attained rather than on literature
review, materials and methods and/or description of the study sites. Chairpersons will be very
strict in time management, so it is advisable to limit your presentations to 15 minutes, to allow
five minutes for questions and discussions. All presentations should be handed over to
Secretariat a day before the presentation. All posters should be mounted 12 noon on 21 March
2011.